Category: music

“In a decision that could affect the financial relationships between record labels and performers, a federal appeals court in San Francisco on Friday ruled that songs downloaded from Apple Inc.’s iTunes store are not actually purchased, but are rather “licensed” by the ostensible buyer.”

In the hall, this concert performance of Strauss’s Alpine Symphony, conducted by Charles Dutoit, was by all accounts a triumph. Yet the sound files, in all but the most expensive format, are flat and dull, barely recognizable as the Fabulous Philadelphians. What happened in the translation?

“Even hardboiled Nagano skeptics, whether inside or outside the orchestra, are probably pleased with the stability that comes with this announcement. Four years after his appointment, Nagano still sells out concerts, in good economic times and bad.”

“Nick Franglen is using London Bridge and its human traffic to create a 24-hour piece of music – armed only with a theremin and an espresso machine.”

“After 18 years and a recent bout of ill-health that kept him off the Washington National Opera podium for more than a year, Heinz Fricke, the music director of WNO and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, has announced his retirement. “

“The Middle Kingdom may not yet have a Glastonbury or V Festival, but Archie Hamilton’s company Splitworks is doing its best to promote a fledgling live music scene.”

Cameron Poole “admitted charges of fraud by abuse of position and acquiring and using criminal property during a brief hearing at Southwark Crown Court yesterday.”

“A concert-goer in the early 1930s would have been faced with two completely different musics – one (Vaughan Williams, Holst, Sibelius, Walton, Strauss, Busoni) remaining within the bounds of the tonal language, the other (Schoenberg and his school) consciously departing from the old language, and often striking a deliberately defiant pose towards it.”

“Indirectly, the great salaries in L.A. and San Francisco probably help the overall quality of musicianship in Portland and Spokane because they attract more talented musicians to stay in the profession (or art form, if you prefer).”

“Music festivals have grown from nothing to a sizeable industry in 25 years, and the industry is one of the few sectors to have fared well in the slump. There are currently more than 670 events in Britain and the top 200 festivals contribute £450m to the economy in ticket sales, travel, accommodation and food.”